How much does it cost to join ECHO?
Nothing!
No dues are required to be on the Yahoo Group or attend most ECHO
functions. On very rare occasions we may ask attendees for a small
donation to help defray the cost of a particular event.
Is ECHO a co-op?
No,
ECHO is not a learning co-op. We offer information and support to
homeschoolers in Minnesota and act as an umbrella group to our regional
support groups throughout the state. Some of our regional support
groups have formed co-ops and some of those co-ops may be accepting new
members. ECHO is not involved in the management of these co-ops in any
way. To find information about co-ops near you, please send a message
to our Yahoo Group. If you are interested in starting a co-op and you
have already formed a small group of like-minded families, ECHO can
help you get off to a good start. Contact us for more information about
starting a successful co-op.
I think I want to homeschool, but I don't know where to start. Help!
The first and most important thing you need to do is get involved with
a homeschooling support group. Contact us or ask on our Yahoo Group to
find an ECHO group near you. If there is no group near you or if the
group(s) near you is full, we can help you start a new group in your
area! You can get your questions answered by posting them on our Yahoo
Group where hundreds of Minnesota families go for information on
homeschooling in Minnesota. Be sure to check our schedule for the next
ECHO quarterly meeting where you can ask questions in a group
discussion setting. Meanwhile, read everything you can find about
homeschooling. Try not to spend any money on curriculum or other
supplies until you have a better idea of your goals.
What about socialization?
This
is a common question heard by new homeschooling parents, often from
well-meaning family and friends. Homeschoolers may have been isolated
in the past, but not today! Many homeschoolers will tell you they have
to limit their social activities in order to make sure they have time
for their studies. There is no shortage of things to do and there are
plenty of other homeschoolers out there willing to join in the fun.
Homeschooled children are not restricted in their socialization the way
traditionally schooled children are. There are no age restrictions in a
homeschooler’s classroom, allowing social skills to develop in a more
natural and positive way. One anonymous homeschooler quipped, “I don’t
intend to socialize my children; I intend to civilize them.”
How do I join an ECHO support group?
The
first thing you need to do is join our Yahoo Group. Our Yahoo group is
our virtual support group and it includes all of our regional support
groups. The best way to find a group near you is to post a message on
our Yahoo Group letting us know where you are and that you are looking
for a group nearby. In most cases, someone from one of our regional
support groups will contact you privately about joining a group. If
there is no group near you, or if the group(s) near you are full, we
will help you start a new group in your area. Click here to join.
I have so many questions about homeschooling. Who can I ask?
We
love questions about homeschooling! Please post your questions on our
Yahoo Group. Be sure to use a subject line that refers to your topic so
others can easily follow along and participate in the conversation. In
addition to the ECHO-MN Board members, there are hundreds of
homeschooling families available on the Yahoo Group to give you help
and advice. Don’t be shy about asking questions. There is no such thing
as a stupid question!
Does my preschooler need to attend a preschool or kindergarten screening?
This
is up to you. Preschool and kindergarten screenings are only required
by law for children who will be enrolled in public school. Some
homeschoolers find the screenings useful, particularly if a speech
delay or hearing deficit is suspected. It is possible for
homeschoolers to take advantage of free services for these issues
through the school district, but you will generally need to have your
child screened before you can qualify for the services. Some families may receive notice of preschool screening by mail. Those who have chosen to homeschool can simply opt out. This
can be done by simply calling the district and leaving a message (the
number is generally on the card you receive in the mail). Those
who do not receive notice regarding preschool screening do not need to
call to express an intention to attend or not to attend. If
you do not wish to participate in the screenings through your school
district, you can have the same tests done in your pediatrician’s
office. Just let your doctor know that your child will not be screened
through the school district and you would like the screening to be done
in the doctor’s office.
How do I find homeschool co-ops in my area?
The
best way to find out about local co-ops is to ask on our Yahoo Group.
Homeschool co-ops vary widely in the way they operate. They also tend
to vary from year to year. If you are looking for a co-op near you,
send a message to the Yahoo Group with the subject line clearly marked.
You may find that co-ops tend to add new families only at the beginning
of the year and sometimes at the mid-year break. You will find that the
fees involved and parent involvement will vary widely as well. If you
decide that you want to form your own co-op, ECHO can help you get
started. Once you have a few families who agree on a general plan for a
co-op, just let us know and we will meet with you to help you get your
co-op off to a great start!
How do I fulfill the state’s testing requirement?
The
state of Minnesota requires that every homeschooled child between the
ages of 7 and 16 be tested once a year with a nationally
norm-referenced standardized achievement examination. The law states
that the district superintendent must agree with the test being used
and the testing location. These are generally determined at the
beginning of the year when you send in your reporting form. We
recommend that you state the test you plan to use, the name of the
tester, and that it will be administered in your home, followed by this
statement: “Agreement is assumed unless we are notified within 5 days
of the receipt of this form.” Be sure to send your reporting form by
certified mail. This gives you a receipt as proof that your form was
received by the district.
You
may choose to use a standard fill-in-the-circles type of achievement
test, or you can hire a private tester to administer the Peabody
Standard Achievement Test (PSAT) in your home. The PSAT is an oral
test that allows you to get test results and feedback immediately
following the test. If you choose to administer a paper and pencil
test, you will need to order a copy of the test from a testing agency.
The results will then need to be sent in and you will have to wait for
the results. In either case, the results are yours to keep. No matter
what type of testing you decide to use, the law clearly states that YOU
DO NOT NEED TO SHARE YOUR RESULTS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Keep your
test results on file as part of your child’s permanent school records.
The California Achievement Test can be ordered from several sources including http://www.baysideschoolservices.com or http://www.familylearning.org/testing.html.
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills can be ordered from several sources including http://www.pesdirect.com/itbs.html.
To
schedule a testing appointment with a Peabody tester, please check our
website for a tester near you or ask on our Yahoo Group for a tester to
contact you.
Date of Last Update: 11/28/2008